Self defense and/or general utility are not considered lawful purposes to be carrying.

PLYSWKNVS

April 3, 2013, 12:24 PM

Hey RedBowTies88,

Is there anything going on now that would change the laws in NJ? Do many people carry a knife, anyway?

RedBowTies88

April 3, 2013, 12:37 PM

There's a case going thats trying to get us the right to carry a gun... but it's not gonna happen for us for quite some time if at all. It's gonna come down from SCOTUS.

I don't think there's much of an effort to change the knife laws.. people do carry anyway and generally you would never have a problem. But god forbid you had to use it in defense you would be completely screwed.

Any knife that isn't on the prohibited list is legal as long as the blade is under 5".

You're probably thinking about (e), but it says that you have to have an "explainable lawful purpose" if you have any of these - "gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, metal knuckle, sandclub, slingshot, cestus or similar leather band studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, ballistic knife"

New Jersey - Code of Criminal Justice

- 2C:39-3 Prohibited Weapons and Devices...

e. Certain weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his
possession any gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger,
dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, metal knuckle, sandclub,
slingshot, cestus or similar leather band studded with
metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, ballistic
knife, without any explainable lawful purpose, is guilty
of a crime of the fourth degree.

- 2C:39-1 h. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a
blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof
by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal
force... p. "Switchblade knife" means any knife or similar
device which has blade which opens automatically by hand
pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in
the handle of the knife... u. "Ballistic knife" means any
weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can
propel a knife blade.

- 2C:39-4. Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes...
d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any
weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it
unlawfully against the person or property of another is
guilty of a crime of the third degree.

- 2C:39-5. Unlawful Possession of Weapons... d. Other weapons.
Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other
weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for
such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of
the fourth degree.
- - e. Firearms or other weapons in educational institutions...
(2)Any person who knowingly possesses any weapon enumerated
in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1
or any components which can readily be assembled into a
firearm or other weapon enumerated in subsection r. of
N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any other weapon under circumstances not
manifestly appropriate for such lawful use as it may have,
while in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any
school, college, university or other educational institution
without the written authorization of the governing officer
of the institution is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=40767234&Depth=4&TD=WRAP&advquery=knife&headingswithhits=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&rank=&record={1A4E}&softpage=Doc_Frame_Pg42&wordsaroundhits=2&x=38&y=6&zz=

xXxplosive

April 3, 2013, 05:34 PM

You still must show a legitimate need for....work related, hunting and or fishing Lic. in possession....if it's in your pocket it can be charged as a concealed weapon felony, up to the LEO discression.....remember this is also the state that has banned slingshots and rubber band guns.....I kid you not.

Creature

April 3, 2013, 05:37 PM

You still must show a legitimate need for....

...did you miss hso's post?

hso

April 3, 2013, 06:08 PM

Some may think that 39-5.d prohibits carrying a knife, but you have to look at the definitions section for the definition of a weapon -
2C:39-5 Unlawful possession of weapons.

2C:39-5. Unlawful possession of weapons. a. Machine guns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession a machine gun or any instrument or device adaptable for use as a machine gun, without being licensed to do so as provided in N.J.S.2C:58-5, is guilty of a crime of the second degree.

b.Handguns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any handgun, including any antique handgun, without first having obtained a permit to carry the same as provided in N.J.S.2C:58-4, is guilty of a crime of the third degree if the handgun is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas or vapor, air or compressed air, or is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with sufficient force to injure a person. Otherwise it is a crime of the second degree.

c.Rifles and shotguns. (1) Any person who knowingly has in his possession any rifle or shotgun without having first obtained a firearms purchaser identification card in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:58-3, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

(2)Unless otherwise permitted by law, any person who knowingly has in his possession any loaded rifle or shotgun is guilty of a crime of the third degree.

d.Other weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

r."Weapon" means anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury. The term includes, but is not limited to, all (1) firearms, even though not loaded or lacking a clip or other component to render them immediately operable; (2) components which can be readily assembled into a weapon; (3) gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, or other dangerous knives, billies, blackjacks, bludgeons, metal knuckles, sandclubs, slingshots, cesti or similar leather bands studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood; and (4) stun guns; and any weapon or other device which projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.

A standard pocket knife is not listed in the state definition of a weapon as long as it isn't a gravity knife, switchblade, dagger, dirk, stiletto. BUT the "other dangerous knives" is vague enough that I'd stay away from anything that wasn't pretty bread and butter and readily available in family retail stores.

We have offices in NJ and I've been there 3 times this year already so I make a point of checking the state and local knife laws so I don't have an increased risk of losing a good knife. I limit the size to clearly under 4" and stick to common folders found in Home Depot and other big box shops (heck, I bought a SAK in the Target on my first trip since I'd only brought carry-on).

Still, none of this means that local laws in townships or cities can't be more restrictive, but there's the link to the state law and nothing in NJ state law says you can't carry a pocket knife.